Forty-six ornamental pepper varieties commercially available to growers and gardeners were evaluated during 2007 and 2008 for their garden performance in the Gulf States at three locations: Hammond (La.), Crystal Spring (Miss.) and Verona (Miss.). Variety performance from the Hammond Research Station trials are presented in the attached PDF file. Top ten cultivars were highlighted. Please see related article for their photos.

A two-acre camellia garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is now open again, thanks to the efforts of the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners.

The LSU AgCenter has a landscape trial of Knock Out rose varieties at Burden Center in Baton Rouge and also at the Hammond Research Station in Hammond. Blackspot ratings for 2008 are included here.

Caladiums are wonderful foliage ornamentals to provide season-long color to Louisiana landscapes. Many new "strap leaf" varieties have been introduced over the past several years that are more sun tolerant than the "fancy leaf" varieties. Results presented here are average sun tolerance ratings over June, July, and August 2011 from full-sun landscape evaluations at the Hammond Research Station.

A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.

A total of 38 caladium varieties were evaluated at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station during the summer of 2009 for their landscape performance, including foliage color, fullness and plant uniformity. The top 10 performers are presented here. (Caladium tubers were donated by Classic Caladiums and Happiness Farms.)

Studies of water distribution uniformity and fertigation uniformity with sprinkler irrigation were conducted in a commercial container nursery. The first phase of the study consisted of determining water uniformity for two sprinkler heights. The second phase consisted of determining fertilizer application uniformity.

Ornamental gingers encompass a diverse and versatile group of plants that are gaining increased popularity in the flowering pot plant, landscape and cut flower markets. They have showy and attractive foliage and flowers, which make them interesting ornamentals.

Fifty-six hostas, including many new varieties, have been evaluated for landscape performance since spring 2010 at the Hammond Research Station in the Shade Garden. Presented here are the top 10 performers based on monthly ratings from June to August 2010.

The green industry is the production, sale and maintenance of ornamental plants and related products. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of the green industry on Louisiana’s economy. (PDF format only)

Interest in daylilies is still strong despite rust problems over the past several years. New daylily selections and All-American daylily winners need to be evaluated in the Gulf South for landscape performance.

Impatiens are colorful summer-flowering annuals that provide season-long color in landscape and home gardens. The 2006 impatiens trial conducted at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station evaluated some of the latest release of mini impatiens, trailing impatiens, double impatiens and New Guinea impatiens. Landscapers and gardeners can choose impatiens for shade or sun areas according to the trial results.

(Distributed 09/08/08) Louisiana’s commercial ornamental horticulture industry received significant but not major damage from the effects of Hurricane Gustav, according to experts at the LSU AgCenter.

This bibliography was compiled at a time of increasing concerns about the health status of baldcypress forests in Louisiana and beyond. This bibliography intends to provide researchers, decision makers and forestry professionals with a comprehensive reference in this subject. (PDF Format Only)